Introverted feeling types
Introverted Feeling (Fi) vs. Ti, Ni, & Fe
By Dr. A.J. Drenth
Introverted Feeling (Fi) is among the least understood of the eight personality functions. It serves as the dominant function for the INFP and ISFP, as well as the auxiliary function for the ENFP and ESFP. In this post, we will work to illuminate the nature of Introverted Feeling (Fi), comparing and contrasting it with related functions, including Introverted Thinking (Ti), Introverted Intuition (Ni), and Extraverted Feeling (Fe).
What is Introverted Feeling (Fi)?Introverted Feeling is an introverted Judging function. Like the other introverted functions, Fi is characteristically intensive rather than extensive. More specifically, it is focused on navigating and managing the FP’s personal feelings, tastes, and values. Rather than distributing its feelings and energies across a breadth of individuals (as Fe does), Fi concentrates its gaze on the self or the “subject.” This is why it is often described as “subjective. ”
If Fi involves an inner intensity of feeling or attention to feelings, it is reasonable to ask what sorts of things are stimulating to Fi. In other words, what provokes emotional responses and reactions in FP types? Although there a certainly myriad things that can impact Fi emotions, FPs seem particularly affected by children (especially their own), animals, music, novels, injustices, and the sick and needy. They seem particularly moved by those who can’t help themselves—those with special needs, the disabled, impoverished, and, of course, children and animals. All of these things, be they good or bad, can invigorate Fi and are consequently perceived as meaningful to FP types.
FPs’ manage their feelings and values on a largely independent basis. While Fe turns to others for emotional support and kinship, Fi deals with emotional matters independently. When IFPs do opt to outwardly express their feelings, tastes, or values, they often do so through other functions in their function stack. They may express themselves through action (Se), hints or suggestions (Ne), or matter-of-fact statements (Te).
Since Fi is introverted in direction, IFPs may not even look like Feelers when viewed from without. Unless they are using their Se or Ne auxiliary, IFPs can seem cold, aloof, and uninviting. With that said, their emotions can still be read, to some degree, through their facial expressions and body language.
Introverted Feeling also works to shape its own worldview—a personalized system of values—that can serve as a platform for self-understanding and decision-making. In this sense, it is similar to Ti, which also involves a process of building and modifying an inner structure. This Fi structuring process was nicely illustrated by an INFP reader:
My inner values and feelings (Fi) are like a building, a structure of affections that inform my worldview. This involves an inner love for certain things, and an inner repulsion for other things. My values and feelings form “blocks” of varying hardness, depending on how strongly I feel about them; the stronger ones are more resilient…I constantly discover more about the structure as I go, and what I should change to make it better. For example, I didn’t have to factually discern a respect for human dignity; I simply found myself in situations where people did not respect human dignity, and it made me angry — I found out that I hate bullying.
As is the case with TPs, this inner structuring (i.e., inner Judging) grants FPs a strong sense of inner control and self-sufficiency. While FPs (especially IFPs) may feel they have little control over other people, they feel the one thing they can control and regulate is their own inner world—their own feelings, values, and decisions.
Introverted Feeling (Fi) vs. Extraverted Feeling (Fe)Since Fi judgments are formed on an independent rather than collective basis, FPs tend to be wary of Extraverted Feeling (Fe) judgments and expressions. To FPs, Fe expressions can seem generic, predictable, shallow, fake, or contrived. There is little IFPs deplore more than those who seem fake, showy, or disingenuous. Their relative distaste for Fe may lead some IFPs to withhold expressing positive sentiments. They may even unwittingly repress positive emotions to bolster their idea of real and authentic feeling. Such individuals (typically INFPs) often see themselves as chronically misunderstood, expressing their melancholy and grievances through art, poetry, or music.
These Fi-Fe differences can sometimes make communication uncomfortable between Fi and Fe types. IFPs may get caught up in questioning the Fe type’s sincerity, while Fe types wish the IFP would express more feeling to create a greater sense of interpersonal rapport and emotional resonance.
Unlike Fe, Fi is not overly concerned with cultivating positive feelings or good morale in a social environment (IFPs do like harmony, but this has more to do with their being uncomfortable with conflict than wanting to cultivate Fe rapport). Rather than focusing on general morale or interpersonal harmony, Fi is concerned with helping specific individuals who have personally moved or otherwise affected them.
Interestingly, despite being a Feeling function, Fi is not really a social (or socializing) function. Fe types (especially EFJs) are typically stimulated by being around and engaging with people; Fe is characteristically interpersonal. Fi, by contrast, is intrapersonal. It involves a relationship with oneself, with one’s own emotions, tastes, and values. Consequently, IFPs are apt to be more choosy about who they spend their time with, since superficial socializing does little to stimulate their Fi.
Introverted Feeling (Fi) vs. Introverted Thinking (Ti)Since Fi and Introverted Thinking (Ti) are both introverted judging functions, they exhibit several similarities. Both confer a sense of inner order and structure, both are intensive and focused, and both involve a more individualized or subjective process of Judging. Just as Ti runs counter to the standardized methods of Te, Fi diverges from the broad, collective focus of Fe. In other words, both Fi and Ti are skeptical of certain conventional or “normal” ways of doing things.
With that said, Fi and Ti also differ in some important ways. For one, they use different criteria for making judgments. In making a judgment or decision, Fi references feelings and values (e.g., good vs. bad, right vs. wrong, tasteful vs. distasteful). Ti, by contrast, is more logic-based, using true-false, logical-illogical sorts of criteria. However, since all types have and use both F and T functions (and often end up over-identifying with their inferior functions), these criteria can often seem quite muddled in reality.
Another way of differentiating Fi and Ti is interest areas (although this too is often muddled by the inferior function). As we’ve seen, Fi types are often inspired to help the sick, needy, children, and animals. Ti types, by contrast, are generally uninterested in caring for needy individuals. Since they use Fe rather than Fi, they are typically more concerned with contributing to society at large or being widely known than they are in investing their time and energy into a limited number of needy individuals.
INFPs and ISFPs also tend to be more in interested in art, poetry, and stories/ fiction. ITPs, by contrast, are typically more interested in philosophical/intellectual (INTPs) or hands-on (ISTPs) pursuits, preferring works of non-fiction rather than fiction.
INFPs’ Fi vs. INFJs’ NiAs described in my type profiles, the differences between INFJs and INFPs are manifold. INFJs and INFPs actually share zero functions in common. However, it can be somewhat difficult, especially from without, to distinguish the inner processing of an INFP from that of an INFJ. However, we can use our knowledge of the functions to better understand the differences.
As N dominants, INFJs generally don’t rely on a predefined inner structure in the same way that INFPs do with their Fi. INFJs approach each situation with fresh eyes, using their Se to subconsciously gather the situational puzzle pieces and their Introverted Intuition (Ni) to assemble them. Ni is primarily a synthesizing function. It uses as much immediate information (Se) as possible to produce an overall impression or “reading” of a given person or situation.
Fi, by contrast, makes decisions according to a preexisting structure of inner values. Hence, IFPs are quicker to make judgments (inwardly) before collecting all the information about a situation. As IFPs mature and develop, however, they get better at opening up their Fi judgments with their Ne or Se to ensure they haven’t jumped to premature or erroneous conclusions.
To learn more about Fi, be sure to explore our latest book, My True Type: Clarifying Your Personality Type, Preferences & Functions, which takes an in-depth look at each of the 8 functions and preferences:
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10 Signs You Might Be an Introverted Feeler
BySusan Storm
When it comes to personality typing, the most effective way to type yourself is to understand the cognitive functions. For example, a lot of IFPs mistype as IFJs. This wouldn’t happen so often if tests and indicators asked questions that determined use of introverted feeling (Fi) or extraverted feeling (Fe). FPs use introverted feeling in the dominant or auxiliary position, and TJs use introverted feeling in the tertiary or inferior positions. FJs us extraverted feeling in the dominant or auxiliary position, and TPs use extraverted feeling in the tertiary or inferior positions.
So What Is Introverted Feeling?
Introverted feeling is a judging function. This means that it is what FPs use when they decide. It involves a deep awareness of one’s own values, morals, ethics, and emotions. Fi-users seek internal harmony and strive to live in accordance with a very personal set of values that are usually very private.
10 Signs You Might Be an Introverted Feeler#1 – Authenticity Is Extremely Important to You
You are determined to be “real” and honest in the way you live your life and interact with other people. Phony social niceties and small talk drive you crazy. When you spot insincerity from other people it’s an instant turn-off.
#2 – You Get Gut Feelings Pretty Quickly That Something is Right or Wrong
You don’t always know where these feelings are coming from, but you get a strong “intuitive” hunch when something is out of line with your ethics and values. You become anxious and might even feel sick if you do something that goes against your values.
#3 – You’re Private About Your Emotions
Someone has to earn your trust in a big way before you’ll share your deepest feelings and values with them. You hate when you cry in front of people.
#4 – You Are Individualistic
You don’t really care so much what society or culture says you should look like or dress like. You like having your own unique tastes, styles, and preferences that feel true to you.
#5 – You Don’t Want to Force Your Values on Others
Everyone has a right to their own unique set of values. Unless someone is hurting someone else or being a bully you don’t feel comfortable asking other people to conform to your set of morals and ethics.
#6 – On the Outside You’re Easygoing. On the Inside You Have Strong Convictions.
To others you might seem tolerant, open-minded, and accepting. On the inside, however, you hold yourself to a strict set of morals and core beliefs that you strive to remain true to no matter what opposition you face.
#7 – You’re Not an Open Book
Even if you are friendly, sociable, and outgoing, there’s a part of yourself that you tend to keep private and internalized. Some people might call you “mysterious” or “enigmatic”.
#8 – You Dislike Critiquing People and Being Critiqued
Who you are is not for someone else to judge, and you feel uncomfortable judging other people or evaluating their performance. You feel like everyone has their own unique gifts to bring to the table and it doesn’t feel right to make judgments about how they do things unless it’s hurting someone else.
#9 – You Crave Freedom
You dislike conforming to a set of rules and structures that have been made by someone else. You love traveling, exploring, experimenting, and being independent. You hate being controlled or trapped.
#10 – You Can Instantly “Step Into Other People’s Shoes”
You’re good at picking up on emotions and other people’s feelings, especially one-on-one. You may even notice how others are feeling before they do!
What Do You Think?
Do you relate to these signs? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Other Articles You Might Enjoy:
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How Each Myers-Briggs® Type Feels Lonely (and What to Do About It)
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10 Surprising Truths About ISFPs
10 Things You Should Never Say to an ENFP
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ENFP, ESFP, INFP, ISFP, MBTI, Myers Briggs
Susan Storm
Susan Storm is a certified MBTI® practitioner and Enneagram coach. She is the mom of five beautiful children and loves using her knowledge of personality type to understand them and others better! For fun, she enjoys reading fiction, spending time outdoors, or challenging her friends to tabletop board gaming competitions (Settlers of Catan, anyone?)
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Introverted feeling type.
Psychology and psychoanalysis of characterIntroverted feeling type
Feeling in an introverted attitude is fundamentally determined by the subjective factor. In its disinterest in the object, it is just as different from extraverted feeling, so introverted thinking is different from extraverted thinking.
This type is difficult to understand because little appears on its surface. According to Jung, the phrase "still waters run deep" applies to such people. To the extent that they turn out to be one-sided, they seem completely insensitive and meaningless. Here it is easy to fall into a misunderstanding, considering it, on the one hand, coldness or indifference, and on the other, stupidity.
Jung describes the purpose of introverted feeling as "not to adapt itself to the object, but to subordinate it to itself in an unconscious effort to realize the images lying in it":
which it represents in its vision. This feeling, as if without attention, glides over objects that never correspond to its purpose. It tends to an inner intensity for which the objects, at the most, give some impetus. The depth of such a feeling can only be predicted, but it cannot be clearly perceived. Introverted feeling makes people silent and difficult to reach; ibonogubly like a mimosa, it grimaces at the coarseness of the object to fill the hidden depths of the subject. For defense, it puts forward negative sensual judgments or deep indifference.
What is true for introverted thinking is equally true for introverted feeling, only in the first case we are dealing with thought, and in the second with feeling. Both are focused primarily on internal images, and not on external facts. The images of the introverted thinker are attached to thoughts and ideals; images of introverted feeling characteristically appear as values.
Since this type of introversion suppresses external expression, such people rarely speak out about how they feel. But their subjective value system, as von Franz observes, in most cases exerts a "positive secret influence on their environment":
“Introverted feeling types, for example, very often form the ethical backbone of a group; without irritating others with moral or ethical assignments, they themselves carry such correct standards of ethical values that they invisibly emanate, thereby exerting a positive influence on those around them. And anyone is forced or obliged to behave correctly, since they possess a measure of the value standard, which always suggestively forces a person to be decent and restrained in their presence. Their differentiated introverted sense sees "in the mind" what is really an important factor."
People of this type do not shine and do not seek to discover themselves. Their motives, if any, in most cases remain deeply hidden. They carry a mysterious atmosphere of independence, independence. They tend to avoid parties and large gatherings, not because they judge those who go to them as unimportant or uninteresting (by which, naturally, one would assume an extraverted feeling type), but simply because their evaluative feeling function becomes numb, when too many people show up at the same time. Jung writes:
“In most cases, they are silent, difficult to reach, incomprehensible, often hidden under a childish and banal mask, often also distinguished by a melancholy temperament. Since they predominantly give themselves to the guidance of their subjectively oriented feeling, their real motives, in most cases, remain hidden. Outwardly, they show a harmonic obscurity, a pleasant calmness, a sympathetic parallelism that does not seek to provoke the other, to impress him, to remake him or change him. If this external side is expressed somewhat brighter, then there is a slight suspicion of indifference or coldness, which can reach a suspicion of indifference to the joys and sorrows of others. Then the movement of feeling away from the object is clearly felt... This type does not follow the real emotions of the object, it suppresses them and rejects or, better to say, “cools” them with a negative judgment of feeling. Although there is a constant readiness to calmly and harmoniously go hand in hand, nevertheless, neither courtesy nor warm courtesy is revealed towards the object, but an attitude is manifested that seems indifferent: a cold, sometimes even rejecting address. Sometimes the object begins to feel that its entire existence is superfluous. In relation to any impulse or manifestation of enthusiasm, this type first shows a benevolent authority, sometimes with a slight tinge of superiority and criticism, from which the wings of the sensitive object easily drop. An assertive emotion, on the other hand, can sometimes be sharply and deadly coldly reflected, unless it accidentally captures the individual from the side of the unconscious, that is, in other words, does not revive some primordial image colored by feeling and, thereby, fills the feeling of this type.
Extroverts, especially those whose dominant function is thinking, are completely discouraged by the introverted feeling type. They consider its representatives both strange and charming. This attracting magnetism comes from the apparent "emptiness" - from an extrovert's point of view - screaming to be filled. Of course, the reverse is also true: the introverted feeling type naturally gravitates toward what easily converges with others and is clearly and distinctly represented in the group. In each case, this other is the personification of the subordinate function.[61]
Such encounters and encounters are common, everyday, as is the resulting biliousness (character). Although through mutual insight there is always the possibility of a long relationship, the fascination with the opposite type, as already indicated in the first chapter, rarely lasts long. Just as introverted thinking is counter-balanced by a kind of primitive feeling to which objects are attached with magical power, introverted feeling is counterbalanced by primitive inferior thinking. Since the thinking of this type is extraverted, it tends to be lowered - concrete, slavishly oriented to facts. In fact, this is a normal and healthy compensation that works to soften and reduce the importance of the subject, since this type is also prone to egocentrism, like other introverted types.
Remaining uncontrolled, the ego of an introvert is able to appropriate the fullness of the personality. In this case, writes Jung, "the mysterious power of intense feeling turns into a banal and pretentious ambition, vanity and tyrannical coercion." Where the subconscious compensatory processes are completely suppressed, the unconscious mind becomes openly hostile and negative and becomes projected into the environment. Jung describes some result in a woman of this type:
“The type remains normal as long as the ego feels below the level of the unconscious subject and as long as the feeling reveals something higher and more powerful than the ego. Although the unconscious mind is archaic, it successfully compensates, by means of reductions, the accidental efforts to elevate the ego to the subject. But if this case nevertheless occurs as a result of the perfect suppression of the reducing unconscious influences of thought, then unconscious thinking becomes in opposition and projects itself into objects. From this, the subject, who has become egocentric, begins to experience the power and significance of devalued objects. Consciousness begins to feel "what others think." Others, of course, think all sorts of base things, plot evil, secretly incite and intrigue, etc. The subject must prevent all this, and now, he himself begins to preventively intrigue and suspect, eavesdrop and combine. All sorts of rumors reach him, and he has to make frantic efforts to, if possible, turn a threatening defeat into a victory. Endless mysterious rivalries arise, and in this fierce struggle, a person not only does not shun any bad and low means, but uses them for evil and virtues, only in order to be able to trump. This development leads to exhaustion. The form of neurosis is not so much hysterical as neurotic; physical health often suffers, for example, anemia appears with all its consequences.
This text is an introductory fragment.
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Introverted intuitive type: subordinate function - extraverted sensation
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introverted thinking type Thinking in an introverted attitude is guided primarily by the subjective factor. Whether the thought process focuses on concrete or abstract objects, its motivation comes from within. Introvert - thinking does not depend on anything
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introverted feeling type In the introverted attitude, sensation is initially based on the subjective component of perception. Although its very nature makes it dependent on objective stimuli, the sensed object is secondary to the senser
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introverted intuitive type Intuition, like sensation, is an irrational function of perception. Where sensation is motivated by physical reality, intuition is oriented toward psychic reality. In the extraverted attitude, the subjective factor is repressed, but in
subordinate function - extraverted thinking. Slave function
Introverted feeling type: inferior function - extraverted thinking
The introverted feeling type also has the property of adapting itself to life mainly through feeling, but expressed in an introverted form. It is very difficult to understand people of this type. Jung in "Psychological Types" says that the saying "still waters are deep" [3] refers to this type of people. They have a highly differentiated value system, but they do not show it outwardly, it affects them from the inside. Where important events are taking place, the introverted feeling type can often be found in the background, as if introverted feeling tells him, "This is really important." Showing a kind of silent loyalty and not explaining anything, they appear in those places where one can become witnesses of important and valuable internal events and archetypal constellations. In addition, they usually exert a secret positive influence on their environment by setting standards of behavior. And although they don't speak out as introverts, people are watching them and that's how standards are set. Introverted feeling types, for example, often form the ethical backbone of a group without irritating others with sermons and moral exhortations—they have such precise standards of moral values that they emanate a secret emanation that has a positive effect on those around them. In their presence, one has to behave correctly, because they have genuine standards of values that always inspire respect, forcing others to behave with dignity. Their differentiated introverted sense determines which factor is truly important.
Thinking of this type is extraverted. The silent, inconspicuous outward behavior of the introverted feeling types stands in striking contrast to the interest they usually take in a vast number of external events. In the conscious part of their personality, they are inactive, preferring to sit out in their badger holes. But their extraverted thinking covers an incredibly wide range of external facts. If they have a desire to use their extraverted thinking creatively, they experience the usual extrovert difficulties - they are so overwhelmed by too much material and an excess of factual information that their subordinate extraverted thinking is sometimes lost in the jungle of details, wading through which they can no longer find your way. The subjugation of their extraverted thinking very often expresses itself in a certain monomania: in fact, they are possessed by one or two ideas, with the help of which they move through a huge amount of material. Jung always characterized the Freudian system as a typical example of extraverted thinking.
Jung never said anything about Freud's type as a person; he only pointed out in his books that the Freudian system is a product of extraverted thinking. On my own behalf, I want to add that, in my personal opinion, Freud himself was an introverted feeling type, and therefore his works bear the characteristics of a subordinate extraverted thinking. All his works contain only a few basic ideas. With their help, he swept through a huge amount of material, while his entire system is completely focused on external objects. If you read the biographical notes about Freud, you will find that he himself had a highly differentiated way of dealing with people. He was a brilliant analyst. In addition, Freud had a kind of hidden "gentlemanship", which had a positive effect on both patients and others. In analyzing his personality, a distinction must be made between his theory and his personal qualities. I think it follows from what is known about him that he belonged to the introverted feeling types.
The advantage of subordinate extraverted thinking is related to what I have just described critically as "jumping with a few ideas through a huge amount of material". (Freud himself complained that his dream interpretations were terribly monotonous; the same interpretation of every dream bored even himself.) If this tendency is not carried too far, and the introverted feeling type is aware of the danger posed by his subordinate function and constantly controls it, it can give a great advantage, being simple, clear and understandable. But this is not enough, and the introverted feeling type must still go deep into himself and try to correct and differentiate his extraverted thinking, otherwise he will fall into the trap of intellectual monomania. Therefore, a person of this type must constantly correct his thinking: he should accept the hypothesis that each fact that he cites in support of his ideas illustrates them slightly differently, and bearing in mind such a circumstance, these ideas should be reformulated each time. In this way he will keep the process of interplay of thought and fact alive, instead of simply applying his ideas to facts. Like all other subordinate functions, subordinate extraverted thinking has a negative tendency to become tyrannical, rigid, unyielding and lose the ability to adapt to the object.
(A record of questions and answers follows.)
Question: Are all types - according to their attitudes and functions - equally distributed? Who is more: extroverts or introverts?
Dr. von Franz: We have no information about the whole of humanity; for example, the population of Chinese villages and other similar places was not studied. In fact, we often talk about types that are characteristic of different nations; we express, for example, the opinion that the Swiss, in general, are introverted feeling types. This may mean that sometimes in certain groups one of the types predominates. Although there are many other types of Swiss, there is statistically a certain predominance of people of the introverted feeling type. You can explain, for example, the high quality of Swiss products: the watch industry needs a combination of introverted attitude to work and differentiated feeling when performing precise operations. Therefore, in relation to different countries and nations, we can say that one of the types is dominant, and it is he who determines the attitude prevailing in the groups. But I don't know what you're going to end up with if you figure out how many people are of a particular type. To answer this question, a special study is required.
Question: Some of us are very interested in trying to experimentally investigate the validity of the hypothesis of the existence of four functions. Theoretically, we have a hypothesis, guided by which, we are able to do this and we can find out whether all people can, figuratively speaking, be decomposed into four different shelves. There have been many attempts in America to determine whether people can be divided into extroverts and introverts. As far as I know, this hypothesis has not found any confirmation, since it turned out that most people are somewhere in between these types. What is your attitude towards attempts to test this hypothesis experimentally?
Dr. von Franz: I think you are absolutely right in wanting to do experimental research. No one is just trying to claim that the theory of types is correct, we have to test many millions of people and statistically process the results - this has not yet been done. However, as you can see from my explanations, type diagnosis is very difficult, because people often, being at a certain stage of personality development, are sure that they belong to a certain type. But in order to find out whether this stage is not intermediate and short-lived, it is necessary to study the entire history of the development of his personality. For example, if someone claims to be an extrovert, it doesn't mean anything; in order to make a relatively reliable diagnosis, you will have to carefully study his entire biography. Until now, we do not have an absolutely reliable scientific substantiation of our theory, and we do not pretend to have it.
My take on this question is that the idea of the four functions of types is an archetypal model used to explain various phenomena, and like all scientific models, it has both advantages and disadvantages. The eminent physicist Pauli once expressed a thought which seems to me very convincing, namely, that no new theory, no new fruitful scientific discovery, ever came into being without the aid of an archetypal idea. For example, the idea of three-dimensional and four-dimensional space is based on an archetypal representation that, to a certain extent, has always existed, worked productively and helped to explain a lot of different phenomena. But then a factor comes into play that Pauli calls the inherent limitations of the theory: if the theory is extended to phenomena that it does not describe, the same fruitful theory becomes an obstacle to further scientific progress. The idea of three-dimensional space, for example, is still completely valid in the field of classical mechanics, and every carpenter or bricklayer uses it in his work. But if you try to apply it in the field of microworld physics, you will fail. It can be safely considered proven that this archetypal idea was born in the minds of Western scientists from the dogma of the Trinity. Kepler, creating his planetary model, said that it was thanks to the Trinity that space has three dimensions! Or take Descartes' idea of causality: Descartes argued that his idea was based on the fact that God never acted on a whim, but always acted according to logic, so all phenomena must be causally determined.
All major ideas, even in the natural sciences, are archetypal models, but they work as long as no attempt is made to go beyond their scope. They are of great benefit to people, as long as they do not try to squeeze facts into them that do not fit these ideas. Therefore, I think that the theory of four functions has practical value, but is not a dogma. Jung very clearly put forward this idea in his books as a heuristic starting point - as a hypothesis by which many observable phenomena can be understood. We now know that in all scientific research, all we can do is come up with theoretical ideas, build models, and find out how the facts fit into those models. And if the facts do not fit into the model, it has to be corrected. Sometimes there is no need to revise a theoretical idea: we simply say that the theory is applicable only in a certain area, and if it is transferred to another area, it will become incorrect. Personally, I am convinced that we have not yet fully exhausted the fruitfulness of the model I have outlined, but this does not mean at all that there are no facts that do not fit into it and therefore may force us to reconsider this model.
Question: Can an introverted feeling type have introverted thinking, or does he always have a subordinate extraverted thinking?
Dr. von Franz: If you are an introverted feeling type, you can think introvertedly. Naturally, you can use all of its features in any way you like, it won't be a big problem for you, but it won't cause the feature to work too hard either. Jung said that the hardest thing to understand a person is not0011 is the opposite type of to you (although if you have an introverted feeling, then it is not easy to understand a person with an extraverted type of thinking), but a person of the same functional type, but with a different attitude! The hardest thing for the introverted feeling type to understand is the extraverted feeling type. In this case, the first one feels that he does not know how the wheels are spinning in the head of a person of a different type, he cannot feel the way of his thinking. Such a person remains a mystery to him, it is very difficult to immediately understand him. Here the theory of types has a very important practical significance, since only it can prevent you from completely misunderstanding people of a certain type. It gives you the key to understanding a person whose spontaneous reactions are a complete mystery to you, and whom you will completely confuse if you react also spontaneously.
Question: What is the difference between inferior intuition and inferior feeling?
Dr. von Franz: Intuition is an irrational function that grasps facts and opens up possibilities for their future development, but it is not an evaluation function. Inferior intuition can trigger premonitions of war or other people's illness, or archetypal changes in the collective unconscious. At the same time, introverted intuition creates unexpected forebodings of the slow transformation of the collective unconscious in the flow of time. Intuition supplies facts without any evaluation. Feeling is a completely different function. According to Young's terminology, this is a rational function ( ratio: order, calculation, reason). A function that establishes order and makes judgments, saying: "This is good, and this is bad, this is pleasant to me, and this is unpleasant." The subordinate sense of a person of the thinking type can give an assessment, but is not capable of presenting facts. For example, the extroverted feeling type, who largely neglects his intuition, has a recurring dream in which the poor and the working class break into his house at night. He is terribly frightened by this endlessly recurring dream and begins to say both in his circle of friends and at dinner parties that the communists will definitely win, and absolutely nothing can be done about it. Since he is considered a very capable politician, this makes an unpleasant impression on his friends. Here is an example of the wrong operation of intuition based on personal projection. This is how the subordinate intuition works. A person with a subordinate feeling function may suddenly start a lawsuit, convinced that he is fighting for a just and good cause, but if someone can convince him, he will drop everything, including the lawsuit he himself began.
A sudden change in his beliefs is an indicator of a submissive feeling. People easily succumb to extraneous influence, and when the question concerns their subordinate function. Since it is unconscious, the position of such people is easily shaken, while in the sphere of their leading function they usually know what to do when they are attacked: they always keep their weapons at the ready, think broadly, show flexibility in making decisions and feel their strength. Once you feel strong, you will willingly discuss controversial issues and can change your position, but when your feeling function is subordinate, you become fanatical, touchy and easily influenced. A change in the facial expression of a close friend can affect the feeling of the thinking type, because his feeling is in the realm of the unconscious and, therefore, open to influence. So, as I said, the extraverted thinker type can have devoted friends and then suddenly turn their backs on them. One fine day, he may drop you like a hot potato and you won't even realize what happened. Somehow the poison got into his system: someone said something or just made a face when your name was mentioned! His feeling is unconscious. Such effects can be eliminated only by bringing them into consciousness. If you object to the intention of an extraverted thinking type to start a lawsuit using logical terminology, he will discuss this topic with you and will be interested in your arguments. He will go to communication and will not take your words in the wrong sense, but as soon as you touch his feelings, he will suddenly, for no reason, cut off the conversation, not understanding why he does this.
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